Filing device

ABSTRACT

A folder suitable for vertically filing papers having a rearwardly inclined protruding identification tab pivotally mounted relative to the folder and slightly resiliently biased toward its rearwardly inclined position by a torsion spring.

United States Patent 1 1 3,683,533 Kelly 1 Aug. 15, 1972 1541 FILING DEVICE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 1 lnvemofl Vernon Kelly, 706 Mains/I4 1,020,309 12/1957 Germany ..40/360 TeX-75202 1,024,923 2/1958 Germany ..40/360 22 Filed: June 24, 1910 144,263 11/1951 Australia ..40/360 [21] Appl.No.: 49,344

Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Attorney-Arnold, White, Durkee, Tom Arnold, Bill (gl ill/3533:2230: Durkee Jack Goldstein John F. Lynch Louis T. n 581 Field of Search ..40/359, 360, 10 D, 13, 14, Frank Vaden m wh'te 40/78.05, 78.15, 104.05, 104.03, 10 R, 23 A [57] ABSTRACT [56] References Cited A folder suitable for vertically filing papers having a rearwardly inclined protruding identification. tab UNITED STATES PATENTS pivotally mounted relative to the folder and slightly 2,037,579 4/1936 Jonas resiliently toward rearwardly inclined posi- Bracken tlon a torsion pring 2,260,407 10/ 1941 Schade ..40/359 2,771,076 11/ 1956 Peter ..40/359 11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 5 "i 04 v -l L g 76 76 X3 36 76" Patented Aug. 15, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Vernon Kelly a v .V

IN VENTOR FIG.5

MMMMrUu/dw A TTORNE Y Patented Aug. 15, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 6

Vernon Kelly lNV ENTOR MM, WMM Uwdee A T TORNEYS' FILING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to devices suitable for filing papers, and more particularly to tabbed folders suitable for holding and filing papers wherein the tabs are suitable for accepting indicia indicative of the contents of the folders.

An index card having an index strip in an inclined position relative to the card so that the writing on the index strip is better visible is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,518,749, issued to Brunhart on Aug. 15, 1950. Other prior art dividers, guides and the like for filing papers and the like have recognized the advantages inherent in providing a protruding identification tab which extends rearwardly at an obtuse angle relative to the dividers, guides and the like. US. Pat. Nos. 1,294,948, issued to Rand on Feb. 18, 1919, and 1,329,569, issued to Yaxley on Feb. 3, 1920, and French Pat. 1,052,367, published on Jan. 25, 1954, are exemplary of such prior art devices. Moreover, US. Pat. 2,151,717, issued to Quigley on Mar. 28, 1939, discloses a vertical file folder having a rearwardly inclined protruding identification tab.

However convenient it may be to have a rearwardly inclined identification tab on a vertical file folder or the like, such prior art devices have been accompanied by certain distinct disadvantages. For'example, a plurality of such prior art inclined-tab folders are difficult, if not impossible, to stack horizontally on a desk, for example, as when a plurality of files have been removed from the filing cabinet for review. Moreover, such prior art inclined-tab folders require large amounts of space as, for example, in an attache case since they cannot be made to lie flat even with application of a moderately large force. Lastly, if such prior art inclined-tab folders are forced into a generally flat configuration, the tabs do not return to their inclined positions unless bent back into place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, one object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved device suitable for filing papers and embracing all of the previously described advantages of similarly employed prior art devices and none of the aforementioned disadvantages.

Another object of this invention is to provide an inclined tab folder suitable for filing papers which may be easily stacked on a horizontal surface.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of an inclined-tab folder suitable for filing papers which will require reduced space when packed between two generally parallel planar surfaces.

Still another object of this invention is 0 provide an inclined-tab folder suitable for filing papers in which the tab will automatically return to its inclined position upon the withdrawal of external forces therefrom after being forced into a substantially flat configuration.

Yet still another object of the present invention is the provision of a tabbed filing device in which the tab may be easily pivoted relative to the remainder of the filing device and will automatically return to its natural position.

Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, these and other objects are attained by providing a biasing means to slightly resiliently urge a tab toward a particular angular position with respect to the filing device and to maintain the tab in that position when there are no external forces applied thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folder embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail rear elevation view of a portion of a folder according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the portion of the folder of FIG. 2 taken along the line 33 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the portion of the folder of FIG. 2 taken along line 4-4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail front elevation view of the portion of the folder of FIG. 2 as seen from line 5 5 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail rear elevation view of a portion of a folder according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the portion of the folder of FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail rear elevation view of a portion of a folder according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the portion of the folder of FIG. 8 taken along line 99 looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a folder l0 suitable for holding and filing papers. Although the present invention is described herein with reference to a vertically filed folder for simplicity of discussion, it should be apparent that the present invention also encompasses horizontally filed folders, particularly in the context of folders lying on a plurality of horizontal shelves vertically disposed above one another in close spacial relationship. Thus a folder which is suitable for holding and filing papers in a vertical position may also be suitable for holding and filing papers in a horizontal position in accordance with the present invention.

Folder 10 is comprised essentially of a front wall 12, a rear wall 14, and a tab 16. The tab should be suitable for accepting indicia indicative or representative of the contents of the folder; and, although the tab shown herein is particularly suitable for receiving direct marking or a gummed label or the like, the present invention is also applicable with respect to tabs suitable for receiving an insert card of the like and which may or may not include a transparent protective cover.

As shown in FIG. 1, front wall 12 has upper and lower edges 18 and 20, respectively; and rear wall 14 has an upper edge 22 and a lower edge also identified by reference character 20. According to the embodiment illustrated, front wall 12 and rear wall 14 are formed from an integral sheet of suitable material so that their respective lower edges are coextensive. However, the present invention may be embodied in a folder of the type having front and rear walls connected proximate their lower edges by a bottom wall which may or may not be integral with either or both front and rear walls and which may or may not be pleated to render the folder somewhat expansible. Likewise, the side edges of any type of folder may be connected in a number of suitable ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

For purposes of illustration and discussion, tab 16 is shown as being connected or affixed to rear wall 14 proximate upper edge 22 thereof, but the tab may be connected to the front wall instead. All that is essential .is that at least a portion of the tab extend above the upper edges in the conventional manner. Although according to the presently preferred embodiment the tab is a distinct structural element with respect to the wall to which it is attached, the tab and wall may be integral within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention may be more readily appreciated by reference to the embodiment illustrated in detail in FIGS. 2-5. As is customary in conventional folders of this general type, either or both of the upper portion of the tabbed wall and the tab itself may be of at least two-ply construction as shown at 14', 14" and 16', 16", respectively, in FIGS. 3 and 4. Inasmuch as the two-ply construction may be fabricated by folding and bonding the folder sheet material, it may be desirable to provide a filler sheet or layer between layers 16' and 16". Accordingly, the upper portion of a thin sheet 24 of suitable material, such as a woven fabric, paper product, plastic film, or the like, may be inserted and bonded between layers 16' and 16". As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the lower portion of sheet 24 may then be bonded to the upper portion of rear wall 14 on the front side thereof as onto layer 14". As will be readily appreciated, the bonding of sheet 24 to rear wall 14 and within tab 16, preferably along a major portion of the length thereof, effects a physical connection between the tab and the rear wall. However, it should be understood that the sheet must be of a sufficiently soft and pliable material to enable the tab to be substantially freely pivoted with respect to the rear wall. The various bonds may be effected by a variety of conventional techniques which, in and of themselves, form no part of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 24, particularly in FIG. 2, a biasing means 26, such as a torsion spring, may be secured to rear wall 14 and tab 16 to bias the tab toward a particular angular position relative to the rear wall. The torsion spring shown is fabricated from a thin gauge metal wire having a round cross-section, but it should be understood that other types of torsion springs or resilient means in general may be used in lieu thereof. The illustrated torsion spring is comprised of a longitudinal body 28 generally between the rear wall and the tab and generally coaxial with the pivotal axis of tab 16 with respect to rear wall 14 as shown in FIG. 3. The axis of longitudinal body 28 is also the torsional axis of the spring so that the body, pivotal, and torsional axes are generally coaxial even though not truly coaxial in the strict sense of the term. Secured to each end of the longitudinal body and perpendicular thereto are a pair of radial legs 30 and 32. The radial legs may be relatively angularly displaced by an angle of about l35 to 180 as will be discussed more fully hereinafter. The torsional spring may be fabricated according to conventional techniques forming no part of the present invention, whereby the resilient characteristics and spring properties of the torsional spring may be controlled in accordance with the hereinafter described performance.

The biasing means may be secured to the rear wall and tab by a variety of techniques, only one of which is shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 wherein the torsion spring is principally secured to the rear wall and tab by a pair of elongate longitudinal adhesive strips 34 and 36, respectively. In addition, a plurality of smaller transverse adhesive strips 38 may be secured to the rear wall and tab either inside the longitudinal adhesive strips, as shown, or outside them. The transverse adhesive strips should in no way restrict the pivotal movement of the tab relative to the rear wall and, in fact, are somewhat functionally repetitive of bonded sheet 24. It is contemplated that the transverse adhesive strips be eliminated without any effect on the operation of the structure.

According to the presently preferred embodiment and as shown in FIG. 3 by the dotted line representation, when there are no external forces acting on the tab, as when the folder is vertically filed, the tab is to be slightly rearwardly inclined at a suitable angle a, such as 45. In other words, the tab is to be angularly displaced with respect to the rear wall by an angle equal to the complement of angle a plus or according to the presently preferred embodiment. Thus, in accordance with the presently preferred embodiment, the torsion spring should be so formed as to provide a relative angular displacement of 135 between the radial legs when the spring is in its relaxed or uncompressed state. In that manner, if the tab is forcedly pivoted in either direction relative to the rear wall, the torsion spring will resist the movement and urge the tab to return to its rearwardly canted position upon the withdrawal of such external forces. For purposes of the present invention, the term biasing means encompasses only such means as are able to repetitively provide substantially complete position recovery of the tab relative to the rear wall.

Although in accordance with the presently preferred embodiment the tab is to be rearwardly inclined in its natural or free condition, it should be apparent that the structure may be arranged so that the tab and rear wall are freely or naturally generally coplanar. The tab and rear wall are considered to be generally coplanar within the context of this invention when they each have a surface which is substantially coplanar. To achieve that structure, angle a is of course zero, and the radial legs of the torsion spring should be angularly displaced by an angle of With such an arrangement, the folders would be filed vertically with all of the tabs vertical; however, by simply running a finger along the tabs, one may angularly depress the various tabs. In that manner, one may easily read any tab depressed by a finger, since the preceding tab would be vertical and therefore more removed from the line of sight. Such an embodiment would be particularly suitable for and applicable to file guides or dividers, as well as file folders.

The essential feature of the present invention resides in the fact that tab 16 is only slightly resiliently urged toward a particular position, a 45 incline according to the presently preferred embodiment. In that manner, although the tab will repetitively return to its biased position upon the withdrawal of external forces after it has been forcedly displaced, the bias is so slight as not to resist even a small force of an order of magnitude, perhaps, of the mere weight of the folder or the folder and its contents. According to the presently preferred l5 embodiment, the biasing means will ensure that the tab is always rearwardly inclined when there are no external forces acting on the tab, as when the folder is vertically filed in the traditional fashion. On the other hand, the folder and tab will lie substantially flat against a generally planar surface upon the application of a small force, as when the folder and its contents are laid on a horizontal surface or when a plurality of folders and their contents are tightly packed in an attache case.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the structure is generally the same as that shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, except that sheet 24 and the middle transverse adhesive strip 38 have been omitted.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the structure is generally the same as that shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 except that longitudinal adhesive strips 34 and 36 and transverse adhesive strips 38 have been omitted; and radial legs 30 and 32 of the torsion spring are secured to the rear wall and tab, respectively, by being bonded between layers 14' 14" and 16', 16", respectively, along with sheet 24.

It should be apparent that, although a number of embodiments of the present invention are illustrated and described herein, there is an almost infinite variety of ways to provide a slightly biased pivotal connection between the tab and the folder wall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. According to the illustrated embodiments, the tab is freely pivotally connected to the rear wall by hinge-type means, such as sheet 24 and transverse adhesive strips 38; and the slight bias is effected by a torsion spring. However, a wide variety of hinge-type means and biasing means may be substituted as equivalents for those shown, the

only requirement being the functional limitations herein disclosed. Moreover, although the hinge-type means and the biasing means may be comprised of essentially mutually distinct elements as shown in the illustrated embodiment, it is contemplated that the function of each may be achieved either by a single means or by substantially overlapping means.

It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention of which only a number of embodiments have been disclosed.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A folder suitable for holding and filing papers comprising a first wall;

a second wall connected to said first wall to accommodate papers therebetween;

a tab suitable for accepting indicia indicative of the contents of the folder pivotally connected to one of said walls proximate an edge thereof, said tab having a flexible hinge portion means which allows said tab to be pivotal relative to the one wall between at least a first position wherein said tab is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the one wall and a second position wherein said tab is generally coplanar with the one wall; and

spring biasing means for slightly resiliently urging said tab toward one of said positions and for maintaining said tab in the one position when no external forces are applied thereto, whereby said tab may assume the other position upon the application of a small external force thereto but will thereafter return to the one position upon the withdrawal forces therefrom.

2. The folder of claim 1 wherein said spring biasing means comprises a torsion spring.

3. The folder of claim 2 wherein said torsion spring comprises a longitudinal body coaxial with the torsional axis;

a first radial leg fixedly secured to said body and perpendicular thereto; and

a second radial leg fixedly secured to said body and perpendicular thereto but longitudinally displaced from said first leg.

4. The folder of claim 3 wherein said first leg is angularly displaced with respect to said second leg by an angle of about when the spring is relaxed.

5. The folder of claim 1 further comprising a thin sheet, a first portion of which is bonded to said tab and a second portion of which is bonded to the one wall.

6. A folder suitable for holding and filing papers in a vertical position comprising a front wall having upper and lower edges;

a rear wall having upper and lower edges,

said front and rear walls being integral and connected at least proximate their respective lower edges; a tab suitable for accepting indicia indicative of the contents of the folder pivotally connected to one of said walls proximate the upper edge thereof, said tab being pivotal relative to the one wall between at least a first position wherein said tab is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the one wall and a second position wherein said tab is generally coplanar with the one wall,

at least a portion of said tab extending above the upper edges of said front and rear walls when said tab is in said first or second position;

torsion spring means for slightly resiliently urging said tab toward said first position and for maintaining said tab in said first position when no external forces are applied thereto, whereby said tab may assume said second position upon the application of a small external force thereto but will thereafter return to said first position upon the withdrawal of external forces thereon.

7. The folder of claim 6 wherein said torsion spring means comprises a longitudinal body coaxial with the torsional axis;

a first radial leg fixedly secured to said body and perpendicular thereto; and

a second radial leg fixedly secured to said body and perpendicular thereto but longitudinally displaced from said first leg.

8. The folder of claim 7 wherein said first leg is angularly displaced with respect to said second leg by an angle of about 135 when the spring is relaxed.

9. The folder of claim 7 wherein one of said legs is fixedly secured to said tab and the other of said legs is fixedly secured to the one wall.

10. The folder of claim 6 further comprising a thin sheet, a first portion of which is bonded to said tab and a second portion of which is bonded to the one wall.

11. A tab suitable for accepting indicia and for attachment to a wall of a device suitable for filing papers, comprising attaching means for attaching said tab to a wall of a device suitable for filing papers proximate an edge of the wall;

a flexible hinge portion which allows said tab to be pivotal relative to the wall between at least a first position wherein said tab is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the wall and a second position wherein said tab is generally coplanar with the wall; and

spring biasing means for slightly resiliently urging the tab toward one of said positions and for maintaining said tab in the one position when no external forces are applied thereto, whereby said tab may assume the other position upon the application of a small external force thereto but will thereafter return to the one position upon the withdrawal of external forces therefrom.

. UNITED STATES PATENT oTTmE CERTIFI CAJFE OF QORREQHQN Patent No. 3,683,533 Dated August 15, 1972 Inirentor(s) Vernon Kelly It is Certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 55, change "'0" to -to.

Column 6, line 21 (i.e. the last line of clairn l) after "withdrawal", insert of external.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of January 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. Q ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A folder suitable for holding and filing papers comprising a first wall; a second wall connected to said first wall to accommodate papers therebetween; a tab suitable for accepting indicia indicative of the contents of the folder pivotally connected to one of said walls proximate an edge thereof, said tab having a flexible hinge portion means which allows said tab to be pivotal relative to the one wall between at least a first position wherein said tab is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the one wall and a second position wherein said tab is generally coplanar with the one wall; and spring biasing means for slightly resiliently urging said tab toward one of said positions and for maintaining said tab in the one position when no external forces are applied thereto, whereby said tab may assume the other position upon the application of a small external force thereto but will thereafter return to the one position upon the withdrawal forces therefrom.
 2. The folder of claim 1 wherein said spring biasing means comprises a torsion spring.
 3. The folder of claim 2 wherein said torsion spring comprises a longitudinal body coaxial with the torsional axis; a first radial leg fixedly secured to said body and perpendicular thereto; and a second radial leg fixedly secured to said body and perpendicular thereto but longitudinally displaced from said first leg.
 4. The folder of claim 3 wherein said first leg is angularly displaced with respect to said second leg by an angle of about 135* when the spring is relaxed.
 5. The folder of claim 1 further comprising a thin sheet, a first portion of which is bonded to said tab and a second portion of which is bonded to the one wall.
 6. A folder suitable for holding and filing papers in a vertical position comprising a front wall having upper and lower edges; a rear wall having upper and lower edges, said front and rear walls being integral and connected at least proximate their respective lower edges; a tab suitable for accepting indicia indicative of the contents of the folder pivotallY connected to one of said walls proximate the upper edge thereof, said tab being pivotal relative to the one wall between at least a first position wherein said tab is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the one wall and a second position wherein said tab is generally coplanar with the one wall, at least a portion of said tab extending above the upper edges of said front and rear walls when said tab is in said first or second position; torsion spring means for slightly resiliently urging said tab toward said first position and for maintaining said tab in said first position when no external forces are applied thereto, whereby said tab may assume said second position upon the application of a small external force thereto but will thereafter return to said first position upon the withdrawal of external forces thereon.
 7. The folder of claim 6 wherein said torsion spring means comprises a longitudinal body coaxial with the torsional axis; a first radial leg fixedly secured to said body and perpendicular thereto; and a second radial leg fixedly secured to said body and perpendicular thereto but longitudinally displaced from said first leg.
 8. The folder of claim 7 wherein said first leg is angularly displaced with respect to said second leg by an angle of about 135* when the spring is relaxed.
 9. The folder of claim 7 wherein one of said legs is fixedly secured to said tab and the other of said legs is fixedly secured to the one wall.
 10. The folder of claim 6 further comprising a thin sheet, a first portion of which is bonded to said tab and a second portion of which is bonded to the one wall.
 11. A tab suitable for accepting indicia and for attachment to a wall of a device suitable for filing papers, comprising attaching means for attaching said tab to a wall of a device suitable for filing papers proximate an edge of the wall; a flexible hinge portion which allows said tab to be pivotal relative to the wall between at least a first position wherein said tab is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the wall and a second position wherein said tab is generally coplanar with the wall; and spring biasing means for slightly resiliently urging the tab toward one of said positions and for maintaining said tab in the one position when no external forces are applied thereto, whereby said tab may assume the other position upon the application of a small external force thereto but will thereafter return to the one position upon the withdrawal of external forces therefrom. 